HF 1754

as introduced - 89th Legislature (2015 - 2016) Posted on 03/11/2015 11:58am

A bill for an act
relating to human services; providing grants for living at home programs for
older adults; requiring reports; appropriating money; proposing coding for new
law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256B.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [256B.86] GRANTS FOR LIVING AT HOME PROGRAMS FOR
OLDER ADULTS.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Contract. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall execute a contract with Living
at Home Network for the distribution of grants to establish new and fund existing
community-based living at home programs for older adults that enable older adults to live as
independently as possible in their homes and communities. This contract shall be executed
if Living at Home Network satisfies the requirements in subdivision 2, paragraph (a).
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Funding; organizational structure of Living at Home Network. new text end

new text begin (a)
Living at Home Network must be governed by a board of directors, at least 75 percent
of which must consist of representatives of programs receiving grants under this section.
Other board members may be designated based on their interest or expertise in areas
related to the care of older adults. Board members shall not receive compensation except
for expenses directly related to serving on the board.
new text end

new text begin (b) Living at Home Network shall be funded at an amount equal to three times the
amount of a grant award made to a program per grant period under subdivision 6.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties of Living at Home Network. new text end

new text begin (a) Under the terms of the contract,
Living at Home Network shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) distribute grant funds to nonprofit organizations and local units of government to
establish new living at home programs and fund existing living at home programs;
new text end

new text begin (2) evaluate the programs on an ongoing basis to determine whether the goals of the
nonprofit organization or local unit of government and the program are being met;
new text end

new text begin (3) encourage, provide, or recommend coordination and training opportunities for
program staff and local board members; and
new text end

new text begin (4) serve as a liaison between the commissioner and the programs.
new text end

new text begin (b) In addition to the duties in paragraph (a), Living at Home Network may:
new text end

new text begin (1) coordinate and purchase services such as insurance on behalf of programs;
new text end

new text begin (2) charge programs an annual fee to help fund the services Living at Home Network
provides to programs; and
new text end

new text begin (3) charge specific programs additional fees for specialized services Living at Home
Network provides to the programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Grant applicants. new text end

new text begin Nonprofit organizations and local units of government
are eligible to apply for grants to establish and operate living at home programs for older
adults. Grant applicants must match at least five percent of the grant funds received with
funds from community sources.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 5. new text end

new text begin Criteria for programs. new text end

new text begin A program funded under this section must:
new text end

new text begin (1) be located in a community that demonstrates a readiness to establish a community
model of care and that has formed a board of directors at least two thirds of which is
comprised of citizens interested in community-based care for older adults;
new text end

new text begin (2) be established and operated by a credible, representative nonprofit organization
within the community or a local unit of government;
new text end

new text begin (3) be designed by representatives of the community being served to ensure the
program addresses the specific needs of community residents;
new text end

new text begin (4) provide services within one defined geographic area, have defined staffing and
organizational structures, and provide for coordinated delivery of services;
new text end

new text begin (5) incorporate the basic community, organizational, and service delivery principles
of the program model;
new text end

new text begin (6) provide older adults with a range of services on a sliding fee basis, as an
alternative to more costly care. These services may include but are not limited to
information, support services, homemaker services, counseling, training for older adult
clients and family caregivers, and registered nurse-directed assessment, provision, and
coordination of health and personal care services;
new text end

new text begin (7) emphasize health promotion, early intervention, and management of chronic
conditions;
new text end

new text begin (8) provide services to older adults based on need and not based on ability to pay;
new text end

new text begin (9) demonstrate a team approach to coordination and management of care, ensuring
that older adults, their families, and their providers work together to plan and provide
services;
new text end

new text begin (10) recruit, train, and direct the use of volunteers to provide informal services and
other support to older adults and their caregivers;
new text end

new text begin (11) promote joint efforts to meet the needs of older adults and to increase efficiency
by establishing close ties with other key neighborhood organizations and groups, including
churches, local units of government, business groups, block clubs, and other voluntary
organizations;
new text end

new text begin (12) provide services without regard to the religious affiliation of the older adults
served;
new text end

new text begin (13) provide assurances that community resources and funding will be coordinated
and that other funding sources will be maximized, including the resources of the older
adults served; and
new text end

new text begin (14) regularly evaluate program effectiveness and respond to changing community
needs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Grant awards. new text end

new text begin Grants shall be awarded for four-year periods. The grant
amount for the initial grant period shall not exceed $80,000 per applicant. Grant amounts
in subsequent grant periods shall be increased to reflect the cost of living adjustments
given to recipients of Social Security over the previous four-year grant period. Subject
to availability of funding, grants awarded under this section shall be renewed by Living
at Home Network every four years, unless Living at Home Network determines that the
grant recipient has not satisfactorily operated the program in compliance with this section
and any guidelines established by Living at Home Network.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Uses of grant funds. new text end

new text begin Grant funds may be used for both program
development and the delivery of services. Grant funds must not be used for religious
activities.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Reporting requirements. new text end

new text begin Living at Home Network shall establish
reporting requirements for nonprofit organizations and local units of government receiving
grant funds under this section and shall, on a periodic basis, submit to the commissioner
data received under this subdivision.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin APPROPRIATION; LIVING AT HOME GRANT PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2016 and $....... in fiscal year 2017 are appropriated from the
general fund to the commissioner of human services for a contract with Living at Home
Network for grants for living at home programs for older adults under Minnesota Statutes,
section 256B.86. Of this amount, $....... each fiscal year is to fund the development of new
living at home programs.
new text end